Apparatus for conveying electrically conductive non-magnetic bodies by a magnetic field while simultaneously orienting the bodies

ABSTRACT

The device for conveying electrically conductive non-magnetic bodies with a concurrent orienting thereof comprises an inductor wherein the number of ampere-turns of its winding, the pole pitch and the width of the effective zone thereof are so selected as to create electrodynamic forces in excess of the resistance forces exerted upon the conveyed bodies during their being moved and turned. The pole pitch however, is equal to or greater than the width of the body being oriented.

United States Patent Ioffe [54] APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE NON- MAGNETIC BODIES BY A MAGNETIC FIELD WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ORIENTING THE BODIES [72] Inventor: Benyamin Alexandrovich Iofle, ulitsa Raunsa, 45/2, kv. 81, Riga, U.S.S.R.

[22] Filed: Dec.15,1969 [21] Appl.No.: 885,194

[52] U.S. Cl ..335/219 [51] Int. Cl. ..HOIf 1/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..335/219,250', 229

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,400,869 5/1946 Lovell ..335/250 '[151 3,656,075 "[4 1 Apr. 11,1972

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 181,481 10/1964 U.S.S.R. "335/229 Primary Exrirriiner-Bemard A. Gilheany 5 Assistant Examiner-F. E. Bell Att0rney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [57 ABSTRACT I The device for conveying electrically conductive non-magnetic bodies witha concurrent orienting thereof comprises an inductor whereinthe number of ampere-tums of its winding,

the pole'pitch and the width of the effective zone thereof are so selected as to create electrodynamic forces in excess of the resistance forces exerted upon the conveyed bodies during their being moved and turned. The pole pitch however, is equal to or greater than the width of the body being oriented.

5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING ELECTRICALLY CONDUC'I'IVE NON-MAGNETIC BODIES BY A MAGNETIC FIELD WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ORIENTING THE BODIES The present invention relates generally to automation of manufacturing processes in various branches of engineering and more particularly to the practice of orienting electrically conductive bodies made of non-magnetic materials.

Known in the art are devices for conveying electrically conductive bodies made of non-magnetic materials by a travelling magnetic field, such devices comprising an inductor whose winding is fed by alternating current to create a travelling magnetic field therearound. A disadvantage of such devices resides in their performing only the conveyance of bodies and therefore when bringing automation in a diversity of manufacturing processes, additional devices capable of orientingthe bodies being conveyed are inevitably required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device in which the disadvantage mentioned above are eliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for conveying electrically conductive bodies by a travelling magnetic field with a concurrent orienting of the bodies.

The above objects are accomplished due to the fact that in the herein-disclosed device the number of ampere-tums of the inductor winding, the pole pitch and the width of the inductor effective zone are so selected as to suit the condition of creating electrodynamic forces that are in excess of the resistance forces exerted upon the conveyed bodies during their being moved and turned, the pole pitch being herein equal to or in excess of the body width..

It is desirable that the inductor be so made as to provide a possibility of employing different values of the pole pitch to suit the orienting of various bodies differing in their overall dimensions.

It is expedient, with a view to orienting bodies with their longer portion along the path of travel thereof, that the pole pitch be less than the length of the bodies being conveyed. It is likewise expedient, in view of orienting bodies with their longer portion perpendicular to the path of travel thereof, that the pole pitch be selected in excess of the length of the bodies being conveyed. I

In the case of alternatively orienting bodies with their longer portion along and perpendicular to the paths of travel thereof,

it is desirable that the pole pitch be variable lengthwise of the inductor.

The device of the present invention is capable of concurrently conveying and orienting bodies and consequently, reduces the cost of the production equipment employed, reduces its size and cuts down maintenance costs.

The invention will now be described with respect to an embodiment thereof reference being directed to the accompanying drawing, wherein the sole FIGURE thereof is a respective view of the device.

The device of the invention is essentially a three-phase linear inductor composed of a number of coils I placed in a magnetic core 2.

Coil leads 3 are connected to a commutator switch 4 to provide interconnection of the coils to obtain a necessary number of poles, and connection of the inductor through terminals 5 to a three-phase supply 6.

Bodies 7 and 8 to be oriented and conveyed are located on a chute (not shown in the drawing) disposed above the inductor.

Length L, pole pitch 1' and width B of the inductor are in the following relationship with the length I and width b of the body being oriented:

in the case of orienting the body with its longer side crosswise of the direction of the travelling magnetic field: c.. L r 1 in the case of orienting the body with its longer side along the direction of the travelling magnetic field:

, l 1,l B,b-=1',L 2l

Thus by appropriately switching one or another number of the coils l in parallel either with the pole or with. the phase through the use of the commutator switch 4, it is made possible, with the present device, to orient bodies with their longer side crosswise of the direction of the travelling magnetic field or .along the direction thereof or also to alternatively orient the same bodies along the travelling magnetic field and crosswise of it during their conveyance.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for conveying electrically conductive, non-magnetic bodies in a travelling magnetic field, said device comprising an inductor including a magnetic core, a plurality of coils mounted on said core along the length thereof, a three phase power source, and means connecting said coils with said power source to select particularly spaced coils at pre-determined pitch to produce a travelling magnetic field adjacent the inductor with axial and rotative electrodynamic forces of a magnitude to convey the non-magnetic bodies in said field,

and turn the articles to a given angular orientation, said means being adjustable to vary the pole pitch between energized coils in dependence on the width of the bodies being conveyed and oriented.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coils are connected in parallel to a single phase, the pole pitch being variable by varying the number of coils connected in parallel to a single phase.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means can adjust the pole pitch to be less than the length of the bodies being oriented when each body is to have its longer side in the direction of the field.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means can adjust the pole pitch to be greater than the length of the bodies being oriented, when each body is to have its longer side transverse to the direction of the field.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means can adjust the pole pitch along the length of the inductor so that it is selectively greater or smaller than the length of the longer side of the bodies. 

1. A device for conveying electrically conductive, non-magnetic bodies in a travelling magnetic field, said device comprising an inductor including a magnetic core, a plurality of coils mounted on said core along the length thereof, a three phase power source, and means connecting said coils with said power source to select particularly spaced coils at pre-determined pitch to produce a travelling magnetic field adjacent the inductor with axial and rotative electrodynamic forces of a magnitude to convey the non-magnetic bodies in said field, and turn the articles to a given angular orientation, said means being adjustable to vary the pole pitch between energized coils in dependence on the width of the bodies being conveyed and oriented.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coils are connected in parallel to a single phase, the pole pitch being variable by varying the number of coils connected in parallel to a single phase.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means can adjust the pole pitch to be less than the length of the bodies being oriented when each body is to have its longer side in the direction of the field.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means can adjust the pole pitch to be greater than the length of the bodies being oriented, when each body is to have its longer side transverse to the direction of the field.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means can adjust the pole pitch along the length of the inductor so that it is selectively greater or smaller than the length of the longer side of the bodies. 